1

David saved Saul a second time

2

[1 Samuel 26:23]

The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness.

The Lord delivered you into my hands today,

but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed.

3

Israel's first king, Saul, always feared that his kingship would be taken by David.

Because the people believed and trusted David, he tried to kill David in a moment.

However, David had a chance to kill Saul in the Engedi cave, but he saved him.

4

After that, Saul continued to search for David to kill him.

David was hiding here and there, avoiding King Saul trying to kill him.

This time he hid with people who were together in a place called Hakilah Hill.

5

Knowing that David was hiding here, the Ziphites went to Saul in Gibeah and said.

“David is hiding in the hill of Hakilah across from Jeshimon.”

 Upon hearing this, Saul gathered soldiers.

6

Saul led the 3,000 soldiers and set out in the wilderness of Ziph, where David was hiding.

Saul's army camped on the side of the road on the hill of Hakilah when they were told that

David was there. King Saul pledged to kill David this time.

7

David heard the news that Saul had come to kill him.

David sent a spies to examine Saul's pity.

The spies showed David where Saul had camped.

8

That night, David took Abishai to the center of the camp where Saul was.

King Saul was in a deep sleep with a spear near his head. In addition, Abner,

the commander of the army and all his servants, who were to protect the king, were asleep.

9

Abishai, who was with David, said to David.

“Today God has allowed you to kill the enemy, Saul, who is afflicting you.

I will destroy Saul with this spear at once.” Abishai was ready to kill Saul.

10

David said to Abishai. “Do not kill Saul. Jehovah himself will punish Saul for his fault.

So we must not directly kill the king established by God.

Instead, let's get out of here with Saul's spear and water bottle.”

11

David did not kill Saul, but came out of Saul's camp with Saul's spear and water bottle.

None of Saul's soldiers knew that David and Abishai had been there.

The reason is that God put Saul's army to sleep.

12

David, who saved Saul, stood on the top of the hill across from Saul's army and able to see their movement. That's where the soldiers of Saul's camp hear when someone speaks out loud.

David said aloud to Abner, Saul's military commander. “Abnel! You did not protect your king.

Find the spear and water bottle near the king's head.”

Only then did Abner know that the king's spear and water bottle were gone.

13

King Saul heard David's voice and asked David.

“Are you David?” David answered. “My lord the king, yes.

14

David kept talking to King Saul. “King, why are you chasing me? What did I do wrong?

If what the king is doing now is what God wants, it will punish me.

But if that's not true, God will curse those who try to harm me through kings!”

David did not follow the law of vengeance and did not kill Saul according to God's law.

15

Saul asked David for forgiveness, knowing that David had saved him even though

he was able to cut his life. “I have sinned. Today you saved my life.

Now I won't hurt you either. I did something stupid. I made a big mistake.”

At that moment, Saul realized how much he had done wrong and asked David for forgiveness.

16

David, a man of God who heard Saul's words, said:

“Jehovah rewards those who are faithful for doing what is right.

 I saved the king's life today. I believe that God will also save my life. In the future,

God will deliver me from all difficulties.”

17

David saved Saul's life without killing him even though he could have killed Saul,

who had been chasing him to kill him.

God preserved David's life and helped him overcome all difficulties.

God made David succeed King Saul to become the king of unified Israel.

18

Like David, there are times when we have not done anything wrong,

but we are unjust. Sometimes it's hard for someone who hates me for no reason.

Jesus, who was resentful like David, knew that we would also have these difficulties and

told us how to act.

(Mt 5:44) But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

God will repay all the evils of those who hate us and make us hard for no reason.

We must strive to be the ones who pray for them so that they can stop doing

what is bad before they are punished for worse.

Like David, I hope to be triumphant friends by following God's law.

(This is the sample conclusion provided by CTM. Please feel free to change the conclusion to best suit the listeners of your sermon.)